Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Ear drops are a remedy for otitis that can happen to anyone regardless of age. The first symptom is increasing pain. What could be the source of ear inflammation? How is the disease manifested and how can we prevent it? How do ear drops work? How should they be stored and how do they work?
Proper ear hygiene
Let’s start with the fact that all otitis does not come from nothing. If we do not take due care to keep our ears clean and healthy, sooner or later pain and discomfort will arise. The first symptoms of poor ear hygiene can be tinnitus, hearing loss and pain.
It is worth knowing that inside the auricle there are glands that secrete earwax. Earwax is a natural substance that is formed in the ear canal and has a cleansing, shielding and moisturizing function. The problem is that there cannot be too much of it, and it is difficult for many people to remove earwax properly. Reaching for cotton buds to remove earwax is the first mistake we make. The earwax is then compacted, and earwax forms under its layer.
If you want to remove earwax from your ear, you should reach for special sprays or ear drops. Thanks to them, the ear is cleansed and the risk of membrane damage is minimized.
See also: Acute otitis media
Ear drops – action
Otitis is nothing pleasant. The developing inflammatory process causes pain when the lower jaw is moved, but also ear itching, purulent discharge, and in some cases inflammation is accompanied by hearing loss. Ear drops can deal with otitis effectively, but it’s worth knowing if the cause of the disease is fungal or bacterial.
Ear drops are designed to reduce swelling and relieve pain. In addition, they warm up and soften, which reduces fluid and cleans the ears.
Ear drops – otitis media
Ear drops intended for the treatment of inflammation of the middle ear, external auditory canal and eardrum, have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. 1g of ear drops contains 200 mg of choline salicinate and excipients such as glycerol, ethanol, chlorobutanol hemihydrate and purified water.
These drops also help to soften hardened earwax so that it can then be safely removed from the ear. However, this should be taken care of by a specialist – an ENT specialist, because trying to remove earwax in otitis, we can only do harm.
Ear drops recommended for otitis media or eardrum should be used according to the doctor’s instructions or exactly according to the leaflet. Their action is local and usually adults take 3-4 drops instilled directly into the ear canal 3 to 4 times a day. If only the hardened earwax has softened, it is recommended to apply 3-4 drops to the external ear canal 2 times a day for about four days.
Contraindications to taking ear drops for otitis is the patient’s allergy to any of the active substances, as well as any component of the drug. Ear drops are also not recommended for patients with a ruptured eardrum.
The editorial board recommends: Clogged ear – causes, foreign body in the ear. How to unclog your ear?
Ear drops – soothing and softening
In pharmacies, you can also find ear drops, which not only support the treatment of inflammation of the ear canal, but also relieve irritation symptoms, nourish and rebuild the epithelium. However, such drops should not be used for more than 25 days.
Ear drops clear the external ear canal and ensure proper hygiene. The composition includes propylene glycol, glycerol, potassium salt of glycerinic acid, climbazole, acetic acid, allantoine, essential oils and purified water.
Ear drops for children
Children’s ear drops support the treatment of inflammation of the ear canal caused by bacterial or fungal infections. They have a soothing effect, reduce swelling, itching and pain. The substances contained in the composition have an oxidizing effect, which contributes to the death of microorganisms and prevents their development. These drops are recommended for children over 1 year of age. It is recommended to administer 1 – 2 drops to the ear no more than 3 times a day.
The composition of ear drops for children includes glycerol, silver nanocolloid and copper nanocolloid. However, the preparation should not be used in the case of rupture of the eardrum, bleeding from the ear, as well as in the case of very severe pain associated with deterioration of hearing, as well as in people with hearing aids and after ear surgery.
See: The girls’ hearing deteriorates
Is using ear drops safe?
Whether it’s earwax, earache, tinnitus, or swimmer’s ear, ear drops are generally safe. However, remember that ear drops are safe as long as the eardrum is intact. With perforation of the eardrum, drops may enter the middle ear. In this case, drops with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide can simply cause pain. Certain types of prescribed antibiotic drops, such as gentamicin or neomycin, can damage the ear.
Tips for using ear drops correctly
The instructions below can help you place the ear drops. If you have trouble putting them in your ears, ask someone for help.
- warm the bottle of ear drops in your hands. Any ear drops that are cold (or too warm) may make you feel dizzy when placed in your ear canal.
- lie down with the sick ear facing up,
- gently pull your ear back to straighten the ear canal,
- hold the dropper over your ear and squeeze the recommended drops (usually 4 to 5 drops of antibiotics per dose),
- massage the ear cartilage (the piece of skin that sticks out just in front of the ear canal like an open trapdoor). This will close and open the ear canal and push the drops into the ear canal,
- lie on your side for a few minutes to let the drops reach the eardrum at the base of your ear canal
- sit down and wait for the excess drops to drain.
- if necessary, repeat the action in the other ear.